Georgia Avenue Community Ministry

Nonprofit Issues:

Food, Human Services, Economic Development

Address:

645 Grant St., SE AtlantaGA30312USA

Mission:

The mission of Georgia Avenue Community Ministry is to provide food in an affirming environment for neighbors in need and to do so in a way that the recipients invest in the process to gain ownership in and help to create communities in which to exercise their own giftedness and power.

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Reviews for Georgia Avenue Community Ministry

The Georgia Avenue Community Ministry continues to be an organization that provides individual and families with support that empowers and reminds members of their intrinsic worth. The programs of GACM create partnerships between volunteers, staff, and members that highlights the gifts, strenghts and talents of every individual involved and creates a mutually supportive environment where everyone has something to offer. No only have the organization faithfully served the Atlanta community for well over 20 years, but is now having an increased impact around the country as organizations are beginning to learn of their work and replicate the GACM Model. I look forward to seeing the ways the influence of the organization continues to tranform the way many individuals and organizations serve their communities.

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Will you recommend this organization to others?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2011

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1 previous review

Rating:
5 stars
November 30, 201011/30/2010

I was introduced to the work of Georgia Avenue Community Ministry while working as a social worker in Atlanta. It was immediately evident to me that this organization used a model of support extremely unique in regards to addressing hunger. The Food Cooperative model of GACM provides food security, community building, and participant empowerment and dignity through a process that holistically supports individuals and families. The members of GACM are not only provided with food, but are also provided space to use their gifts, talents, and resources for the betterment of other participants, the group at large, and the organization. This model breaks down the helper/helped paradigm and allows everyone to give and everyone to receive.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

After moving to another state, I have worked with GACM to train local organizations to start groups using the GACM model. Participants and organizations in our community have been transformed through this process. We constantly receive calls from new organizations interested in this model.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

more funding to allow GCAM to expand the model to other communities in various parts of the country

I love Georgia Avenue Community Ministeries ! I first learned of GACM while living in their neighborhood among them during the 1980's for two years. At this time I began to see & understand the need of lower income families and individuals whose most basic needs were being met through the food Co-op right out of the Georgia Avenue Church. GACM is a hands on service and Beacon of light to those who need and deserve help and a boost up the most.
Over the years and decades I have been fortunate to stay in touch and up to date with those keeping the engine fueled and working for the same area for over twenty years. The commitment by director Chad Hale and his team has endured the test of time and has helped countless people who are down on the their luck and or under severe misfortune. A Beacon of light indeed.
Last December I was fortunate enough to pass through South East Atlanta twice and made a point of stopping in at the Wednesday afternoon community lunch. It was awesome to see so many people gathered in the Ga. Ave church basement. I ate with these folks and they welcomed me heartily to make me feel, I a passer through, was their friend. It refreshed me to see such a dynamic love in action.
Ga. Ave Community ministeries is a vital artery of life giving and affirmative support for countless dozens and hundreds who other wise would most lokely be left in dire isolation and abandonment.
I whole heartedly endorse their efforts to make a signifacant difference among the less fortunate.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

During a visit two times through Ga Ave. community ministeries last year I was pleasantly welcomed and made to feel at home among the staff, volunteers and members who were engaged in life altering on going change one day at a time year in and year out.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I would like to see more financial support coming in to this organization so that more people could benifit from its presence.

I am a freelance writer and have been working on a volunteer basis with Atlanta nonprofit organizations. I was introduced to the Georgia Avenue Cooperative Ministry's Food Coop through my husband, who is on the Board of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. When I heard about the Coop, I thought GACM would be an organization I would like to help. I visited the Coop just before Thanksgiving, and witnessed the strong spirit of community among the members. For a small fee, families are able to put food on their tables with pride. The members contribute not only money, but they gather at GACM on their assigned food distribution days, and when the truck arrives with the food, they distribute food to each family. All the while, there is a sense of faith and camaraderie. Chad Hale, the Executive Director, does a wonderful job coordinating all this, and he is the driving force for this important organization.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

When I visited GACM in November, I witnessed the distribution of turkeys and other food to families that would otherwise not have food for Thanksgiving. A beautiful impromptu hymn was sung and prayers were said. It was clear that the members share a sense of belonging to a network that provides not only much needed food, but also friendship. It was a heartwarming experience.

I find Georgia Avenue Community Ministry to be the most inspiring nonprofit organization that I have encountered. I know how hard it is to provide help and at the same time empower the people you serve since I spent seven years as an executive director of a nonprofit organization. Georgia Avenue Community Ministry accomplishes this balance in a remarkable way. This organization gives encouragement as well as food security in a joyful and respectful manner.

Paradigm for food security best sum's up for me how this organization operate's. These dedicated members, volunteer's alike..have built through the year's a safe haven for families to garner the essentials, namely food, that would of been obsolete. Chad Hale, Director, has developed a food co-op that allow's low-income and less fortunate to come together, work side by side through food distribution, meal prep, discipline, and respect for of community. A non-denominational concept, everyone is welcome is the core practice of this team! Whether weekday lunch [free], giving consul, or linking recipient's to opportunitie's they may have never had...the mission is boundless. Testimony to this is the ongoing start-ups throughout Georgia and now out of state. How exciting! The friut of the spirit lives through Georgia Ave. Community Ministry!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Attended a one day workshop to successfully go out and develop my own food co-op in the community. Also, was fortunate to capture the the spirit of maintaining the integrity of their mission through compassion, patience and love of their community!!

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

..Find a larger facility for them to operate out of!...Amazing how much and how many they service out of a church basement. They deserve and certainly work for this.

Georgia Avenue Community Ministry is an amazing place where people in need are nourished with food and a supportive community that helps them grow. The first time I went to a food coop meeting I was moved by the spirit of faith in not only God, but also in each other. I was also moved by the total acceptance of each person, regardless of whether a person has any or no religious affiliation.
People who might otherwise be hopeless about where there next meal might come from were working to fill boxes with food from the food bank, not just for themselves but for others as well. This was a group of people committed to lifting each other up.
The food cooperative program run by GACM is lead by Pastor Hale, Brian R. and Ella, a food cooperative member. They are building and expanding the reach of the food cooperative networks. Each person who receives food is obligated to help in the distribution process. Food coop members do work that supports integrity, accountability, and community leadership as they distribute the food during food cooperative meetings. They give of themselves and by doing so become vested and empowered in the process. This is what makes GACM different from a food bank or a soup kitchen. Those benefited by the food are participating in the service of themselves and others.
The work is earnest and it is not easy. But done together, each person leaves with the support and food he or she needs. The result is that people in the community are growing in skills that can translate to employment. GACM is healing communities that are undernourished through its food cooperatives. I wish that everyone would go to one of the food cooperative meetings, because you cannot help but be inspired by what is happening there.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have served as a board member side by side with business leaders and community leaders who are benefited by the food cooperative program. The cooperation and leadership that I see at the core of GACM's success continues to make me passionate about its work even though I have already moved out of state. It is an organization whose work seems destined for national outreach.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I would develop more relationships with foundations to provide more opportunities to them to invest in a solidly run nonprofit. I would also request funding for more leadership development and succession planning within the organization. I would also find a new location in the Grant Park community to house the operations.

I have stopped by the Georgia Avenue Community Ministry on a few occasions and I follow its ministry closely through contacts with its leadership.
I am impressed both with the organization, character, and purpose of this organization. Food security is exactly the sort of radical re-focus that is demanded by the gospel. Teaching brothers and sisters to fish is just not possible in this metropolis. But providing a place and support for brothers and sisters to organize a community to distribute food and other necessities at almost no cost is possible. GACM is proof positive.
The Spirit moves freely. The joy of thanks is evident and constant. And the discipline of community is clear. The shareholders have each other in mind and they support one another with all the things that people need from community - hope, encouragement, mutual aid, and gracious discipline.
I strongly recommend this organization.

This is a great organization that offers services to their clients in several areas. They are organized and encourage the clients to be involved. I am impressed with their efforts to provide health education awareness messages.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Witnessing the ministry at Georgia Avenue Community Ministry is a transformative experience. Immediately one feels part of an wholistic, intimate, and nourishing community that many in our society long for. Simple concepts of sharing and hospitality are lived out within this community which brings forth sustainable living, joy, and hope. It is nourishing to my soul and body to be around the folks at Georgia Avenue Community Ministry. They inspire and challenge me to cultivate and look for glimpses of the realm of God on earth.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I am proud to be a member of Ga Avenue Food Coop since the incetion. I was one of the people that wrote the proposal that made it possible to start the second cop. This organisation provide to people food that otherwise thye would not have to supplement waht they can afford t buy. This food is not ahandout because the members are a community that works togehter to make rules to gvoern how the cops run. The member do not only receive food but aso education about things of concern to them. GACM give people food security that otherwise would not have. Thank You.